Case study 6 – Caterpillar Field Service Fitter – Engineer in Wales to Field Service Supervisor in Australia
Recruited in 2011 and deployed to Australia in 2011 to start work for one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers
This is Leon’s journey.
Hours worked at the Australian Caterpillar Dealer since hiring
Commenced employment with Australian Caterpillar dealer
Date employment ended with the Australian Caterpillar Dealer
Substantial ROI for the Australian Caterpillar Dealer
Where did Leon’s journey begin?
We first met Leon in 2011. After the first chat our international recruitment specialist Dennis knew that Leon was someone he wanted to meet in person and find out more about his working history. All we knew at this stage was he was a Caterpillar trained field service engineer that wanted to relocate to Australia to work for a caterpillar dealer, specifically Leon wanted to relocate to Queensland.
So our international recruitment specialist Dennis arranged to meet up with Leon in person.
Leon suggested meeting up at a coffee shop near the M4 on the outskirts of Cardiff in Wales.
And that’s where Leon’s journey from Wales to Australia working for one of the world’s biggest Caterpillar dealers began.
Previous working history
Leon did his time for the colliery in Mid Glamorgan in Wales (coal mine).
He had been working for OEM dealers including Finning UK Limited and Volvo and had plenty of experience of dealer processes.
Dennis and Leon had a few laughs about coal mines in Wales versus coal mins in Queensland, Australia – with the Welsh mine having a coal seam of around two foot and Dennis explaining that it was not exceptional to have 28 meter coal seam in Queensland. Leon had worked on small rigid Cat trucks 777F and 775F and ADT 740, 735 and 725, D10T dozers, motor graders and wheel loaders to name a few, and he had experience of how different companies approached maintenance and ongoing training of their employees.
Leon was primed for a long term role with an Australian Caterpillar dealer, he and his partner had already researched a great deal about Australian life and they wanted to try it.
Making the move to Australia
Our international recruitment specialist Dennis completed the background and integrity checks on Leon and quickly convinced the Australian Caterpillar dealer that they should interview and hire Leon as quickly as they could.
Leon was interviewed by the Caterpillar dealer, with the feedback from the Cat dealer being “all good, hire him” and Leon was quickly presented with a letter of offer to work for one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers and a relocation package to Australia.
Starting work at the Caterpillar dealer in Australia
From day one Leon slotted straight into the Cat dealership.
There’s nothing to say except Leon just suited his role, the Cat dealership and his new location in Australia perfectly.
Where is Leon now?
Leon is still working for the same Australian Caterpillar dealership.
But he is no longer employed as a field service fitter.
Leon rose up through the Cat dealership and is by all accounts ‘killing it’ as Field Service Supervisor.
Leon is a part of a team of over 136 people covering Cat surface mining, construction, quarrying, waste, agricultural and marine equipment.
With now close to 11 years service with one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers and counting, Leon has proved his value and loyalty and deserves every success that comes his way, he has earned it.
Feedback from Leon
Leon was pretty relaxed when he was first interviewed many years ago by Dennis in Wales and he hasn’t changed. He was happy to share his journey and he said “to anyone thinking about making the move from Wales to work for a Caterpillar dealer in Australia, take the chance and run with it, you’ll never regret it”.
Leon also could not praise enough the Australian Caterpillar dealer that employed him nearly eleven years ago – he has nothing but good things to say about the company and said they had been very fair to work for, more than fair he said.
Leon, Dennis said you told him over 10 years ago that you were committed to making the move to Australia, and if given the chance would not let the Cat dealer down.
Leon is a man of his word, the Cat dealer has not been let down, and is lucky to have you working with them.
Congratulations Leon on 10 years plus service and counting!
Did overseas recruitment of field service fitters work for one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers?
Some like to view success in monetary terms.
Some view success in terms of a person fitting in.
Some view success in terms of how long something lasts.
Close to 11 years of service and still employed by the same Australian Cat Dealer
Risen through the ranks to become a field service supervisor in a team of over 136 people
Became an Australian Citizen and committed and heavily involved with the dealership, mining and the local community.
Regardless how you measure success.
The overseas recruitment of field service fitters from Wales has been an outstanding success for one of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers.
Measure of ROI – Substantial